England manager, Thomas Tuchel, has sent a strong message to Barcelona loanee Marcus Rashford, urging the forward to take his game to the next level or risk regretting wasted potential later in his career.
Speaking with Sky Sports on Tuesday, Tuchel lauded Rashford’s technical brilliance and natural finishing touch but stressed that talent alone cannot sustain success at the highest level.
According to the German tactician, Rashford possesses the attributes to become one of the best attackers in world football but must match his skill with consistent performances — both for club and country.
“He can be one of the best in the world because of his finishing and quality,” Tuchel said. “But he has to make key decisions now. He’s still young enough to push himself to his limit, because otherwise, he might look back in 10 years and regret what he could have achieved.”
The England boss revealed he maintains regular conversations with the 26-year-old, challenging him to improve his goal and assist tally.
“Potential is a dangerous word in elite sports,” Tuchel added. “At this level, you must deliver your personal best consistently — that’s what separates the great from the good. It’s not about talent anymore; it’s about proving it week after week.”
Rashford, who joined Barcelona on loan from Manchester United during the summer window, has scored three goals and provided four assists in 10 appearances for the Catalan side so far this season.
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Tuchel, who has included Rashford in all but one of his England squads since taking over in March, confirmed that he still believes in the forward’s ability but hinted that patience won’t last forever.
“Whether he starts or comes off the bench, he must show why he deserves to be here. That’s his challenge,” Tuchel concluded.
The 2024/25 campaign marks a crucial period for Rashford, whose career trajectory remains under close scrutiny following his inconsistent spell at Manchester United and his fresh start in Spain.
